Hartzell Engine Technologies Announces the Purchase of the Plane-Power Line of Aircraft Alternators

Oshkosh, WI, July 29, 2014 — Representatives of Hartzell Engine Technologies LLC, announce that the company has finalized an agreement to purchase the assets of Plane-Power, LTD.

“When the opportunity came to acquire the Plane-Power line we saw it as having tremendous potential, not only to complement Hartzell’s family of alternators, but to gain immediate access into new markets,” Mike Disbrow, president of Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) says. “In particular, Plane-Power is strong in the kit-built/experimental market. They also have several STC’d (Supplemental Type Certificated) generator-to-alternator conversion kits that will open new opportunities to us.”

Disbrow stresses that the purchase of Plane-Power in no way includes any Sky-Tec starter products. While Sky-Tec and Plane-Power were closely associated, they were separate companies and this transaction does not include the Sky-Tec business.

“The creation, growth and success of Plane-Power’s broad line of alternators typifies the atmosphere of consumer-driven innovation that permeates this segment of the general aviation market. Customers demand better performance and value in aircraft alternators and Plane-Power successfully delivers on that need,” states Rich Chiappe, partner of Plane-Power Partners, Ltd. “Hartzell’s leadership recognizes and shares a commitment to quality and performance that will successfully carry the Plane-Power brand forward.”

“This agreement will enable my partners and I to continue to, not only focus on Sky-Tec’s continuing success, but to pursue new innovations for our customers and additional growth opportunities in general aviation,” he says.

Disbrow states that HET will continue to produce all of the Plane-Power products under its current brand and that the parts will be produced at the current factory in Granbury, TX until all of the FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) documentation can be put in place to transfer production to its Hartzell’s facility in Montgomery, AL.

“The Hartzell brand is strong in the alternator market and it will continue to be the product of choice for the custom OEM and direct-fit replacement markets that we have traditionally led,” Disbrow says. “The Plane-Power brand will represent the certified replacement and experimental markets at a lower price-point than the Hartzell Engine Technologies parts.”

“The purchase of Plane-Power is consistent with our strategy of growing our core product lines organically and through acquisition,” he states. “Our goal is to strategically and systematically continue to elevate Hartzell Engine Technologies to the leadership role in all of our product categories.”